Non-Native Species

This is also called Introduced Species. These are species that have often been introduced by human activity to geographic areas which are outside of the species normal range. They are not usually invasive or detrimental to the native species. They can be categorised as either Archaeophytes (pre-1500) or Neophytes (post-1500), of which there are an estimated 10 species of grass of the former and 50 species of the latter category, for the British Isles (Cope, T. & Gray, A. (2009) ‘Grasses of the British Isles', B.S.B.I. Handbook No.13, p.25). Most garden and ornamental pl

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  Nutrient Deposition

Nutrients which are supplied by the atmosphere. These can be dry deposits, such as dust particles, or wet deposits, for example by rainfall, mist or snow.

  Open Data

Data are (yes, it's plural) everywhere, but what is available as 'open data' is also vast. "Open data is data that anyone can access, use or share. Simple as that. When big companies or governments release non-personal data, it enables small businesses, citizens and medical researchers to develop resources which make crucial improvements to their communities." (The Open Data Institute, https://theodi.org/what-is-open-data) Where can you find open data? Well, local authorities, Governing Bodies and Government funded research projects provide a wealth of open data ready for reuse by others

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  Order

A taxonomic category that is used to group organisms. An Order is a grouping of similar families. Similar Orders are in turn grouped into a Class.

  Organic Matter [1]

The remains or waste product of living material. On the surface this may mean grass clippings or dying leaf sheaths; whilst in a soil this might be thatch, digested material within earthworm casts, or any decaying and decayed organic remains of plants and soil fauna. Increasing organic matter content within a soil increases the retention and release of nutrients (improved Cation Exchange Capacity), making for a more fertile soil.

  Osmosis

The movement of water from a region of a low concentration of dissolved salts (a source) to a region of a high concentration of dissolved salts (a sink). The movement is through a semi-permeable membrane (also called partially permeable) and aims to help dilute the higher concentrated solution so as to be in equilibrium with the source.

  Other IPM

Integrated Pesticide Management, which is the discriminate use of pesticides, which should focus on specific targeting of pests. However, instead of being an integral part of an acknowledged Integrated Pest Management process, pesticides are often used as short cut to control the present problem and this " perpetuates a "quick-fix mentality" that targets symptoms and fails to address the root causes of pest problems." (Source: Ehler, L. E., (2006), "Perspectives. Integrated pest management (IPM): definition, historical development and implementation, and the other IPM", Pest Management Science, 62(9):787-9)

  Overlap

The extent of how much a mower overlaps on each cut to reduce the chance of missing a strip of grass. This is the same meaning as Overlapping.

  Pale Grass

Usually a sign that the grass has limited nutrition, or water availability for healthy growth. This might also be a sign that the grass will soon attempt to set seed, in which case the leaves will turn yellow and die.

  Parasite

An organism that lives on or inside another organism (the host) which result in harm being caused to the host organism. One example is the parasitic Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne species) which feeds internally on a host organism, such as a leatherjacket grub.